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My #2 has been a year in the making & the neck is fitted, all is pore filled. I just have to make and fit the bridge, but I had a new idea. Is it too late to turn it in to a 12 string. It's M.D.Paynes Med. Jumbo.
What are the considerations? The top is pretty well braced as per the specs with a minimal of bracing material removed. The neck at the nut is 1.775" wide.

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Mike McNerney

Yes, I would say it is to late. The tension on a 12-string top is considerably more than a 6. Approximately 240lbs of pull vs 160-180lbs for a 6-string. Heavier bracing than a standard 6-string design is a must, and probably a larger bridge plate to accommodate the larger bridge (depending on your design). I'd keep this one as a 6 and if you want to do a 12 plan that for your next build.

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Josh House

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Too late.

I've heard that that plan is a bit over-braced, so it may very well be strong enough for 12, depending on the properties of the wood you used. But if it's all pore filled, doesn't that mean you've already cut the headstock to shape? Even if you haven't drilled the tuner holes yet, there's probably not enough room for 12. And the strings would be a tight fit at that nut width, so you might be better off making a new neck and saving the current one for your next 6 string. But then, you might as well save this body for your next 6 string too Unless you think it would perform better as a 12 due to the stiffness.

The bridge plate shouldn't be a problem if you use a 6 hole bridge, where two strings go in each hole. I like that style better anyway because it's lighter weight. Here's one by Trevor Gore http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=584614#p584614

If you stayed close to the bracing plan, it would likely be over braced. If it couldn't handle 12 strings, maybe a 9 string? Three single bass strings, a doubled trebles. I saw a couple of Yairi's on ebay a few years back.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

In my mind that plan is way over braced for 6 strings. As to if your guitar can be strung with 12 strings...........you'll have to make that decision. You know the stiffness of the top and you know the state of your braces. Since it's only your second guitar I'm sure you must find it hard to make that judgement. So what is it worth to you if it bombs.........? But on the other hand you may find that your guitar as a 12stringer is stellar....? Another neck could be made if needed. Good luck, let us know your decision and the outcome.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

That's a falcate one by Wes Lewis (nice one, Wes!). Here's one of mine (if it's of interest), lattice bracing but a standard bridge...(scroll down the page).

Many factory 12 string guitars are exactly the same bodies as the 6 strings, because the 6's are so over-braced.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

Yah, I forgot about the peg head. Like I said it's been a year & I'm not thinking too straight.
I 'll look tomorrow in the morning lite & see what would be involved in cutting the HS off & shaping the new one including the volute, I don't think so.
But now you guys have me all worried about the bracing for the 6 string. Let me hijack my own thread & ask;
what does a guitar with heavy bracing sound like? Should & how can I make adjustments now?

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Mike McNerney

Like a factory guitar

...about half the volume and responsiveness of a well designed guitar.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

Really? Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Santa Cruz, Laravee, Alvarez, Yamaha ? Which models? Or are you talking about "Joe's Asian" plywood models?

Taylors for sure, and most others. Play a voiced and tuned handmade acoustic with a thin top and proper bracing side by side with just about any factory guitar and the difference in clarity, volume, high end sparkle, and balance is immediately evident.

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It will probably be alright.

And, if you're a player, pretty stunning the first time you get the chance to play a properly voiced and tuned handmade acoustic

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I think we are talking about "bracing patterns" not the subjective issue sound quality --- Taylor 12 string models "for sure" have different and more robust bracing than their 6 string models.

Mike,

You should get at least volume1 of the Gore/Gilet books. Worth it's weight in wood.

Give it a try, you will need a new neck, with 12 tuners and I used a 1 7/8 inch nut!!!, I made the bridge slighty larger. so far nothing has Imploded!!!! , Thanks Trevor!!

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MK5acoustics.com